When
opening a bar, the concept is probably the first factor that aspiring businessmen
consider. Without actually realizing it, this is also the first thing we judge
as customers. We all have individual preferences on the kind of time we want: is it a laid-back night over beer or a wild, vodka-intoxicated party? The type
of mood we’re in definitely influences our nightlife choices. This isn’t consistent
as well, for one night we might be craving for some posh food and hard drinks
and the next -- Pinoy chow and cheap beer! But one thing’s for sure: a bar with
a solid concept is a bar we can depend on -- we just keep on coming back for
more!

This
over-all concept is not to be confused with the daily “gimmick” a bar has—which
varies from acoustic nights to toxic parties.

Every day is a party at Dillinger's 1903, a gangster film-inspired steak house and beer pub (Photo credit: Dillinger's Facebook Page). Read my Dillinger's 1903 review here.

Beer stacks ... part of the concept? LOL

I
might be stereotyping, but let’s face it – a place playing Abra’s rap songs all
night and serving beer at P200/bucket doesn’t attract whiskey-devouring
yuppies.

2.
Alcohol

Or
availability, thereof. There are nights when you just want an Amaretto Sour and
nothing else could make you happy. Served with a cocktail other than the one
you’re craving for, your night is totally ruined and you just want to go home,
LOL!

my alternative to Amaretto Sour's absence, Whiskey Sour

Personally,
I prefer whiskey (bourbon) and beer, and choose bars accordingly. Usually if
they don’t serve bourbon, I can get by with beer, but if I’m not in the mood
for beer either then I will scout every nook of the city for a place with Jack
Daniels in it. On very happy days, I drink anything: cocktails, gin, brandy, vodka,
tequila, rum—yes, even the repulsive
Bacardi.

Bars
called brew pubs specialize in beer and are guaranteed to provide you a wide
assortment to choose from. Some bars don’t sell cocktails by the pitcher. Still,
others don’t have certain cocktails on the menu but they can mix it for you
upon request. Scan the bar list fast and get out immediately if you don’t like what
you see.

3.
Price

This
one might not be the first thing we consider, but is perhaps the most
influential. Does a 200-peso cocktail sound OK to you? Or would you rather
guzzle some beer priced at P45 each? Or, can you survive a night of cheap,
sugary mixes guaranteed to give you tons of headaches and vomiting marathons? I
can live with all these three; it just depends on my mood and my wallet’s.

Local beers vary from P35 to as high as P150 from place to place

Sometimes,
it’s the ambience and exclusivity that we’re paying for—which is true for superclubs
like Republiq and URBN, charging an entrance fee not lower than P500 and selling
local beer at P150. There are days when I want to treat myself to a really classy
time, and then some days where in I just say, “Let’s ditch that disgustingly overpriced
shithole.”

This Jim Beam bottle can range from P800 - P4,000, depending on the place. Take your pick! (I choose The Distillery.)

4.
Crowd

A
“make-or-break” kind of thing, dictating the over-all popularity of a bar. Certain
places attract certain customers. For instance, The Distillery crowd is usually
composed of young professionals. If you were in the mid-20s, working, and
always on the lookout for some sort of stress reliever after your 9-hour shift,
you probably won’t choose a place flocked by college people.

Corporate meets College at En Route Distillery

In
“singles” bars where in everyone is supposed to flirt with each other, there
are trends as well. Example: old ladies (and sometimes, transvestites) pair up
with foreign men. A big group entirely composed of men is almost always sure to
mingle with a small group of ladies who happened to be at war with their
boyfriends, haha! No matter what trend it is, a frivolous female is always a
hit in O Bar, LOL!

Pick a bar where no one would judge you. LOL! (at Rue Bourbon Salcedo)

For
me, the best place is one where you could totally be yourself and not be bothered
by the snooty attitudes of some partygoers. My favorite? The Distillery –
Jupiter. I can go break-dancing and
ballroom dancing and nobody would sneer at me. Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong is
another story; LKF is heaven.

5.
Food

Some
people can’t drink without munching on something. The price must be examined,
analyzed, scrutinized carefully, since most places serve just bar chows. Some appetizers
are extremely overpriced, like the Buffalo Wings I had in Hooters, whose meat
is almost nonexistent I thought I was being served breaded toothpicks.

If
you’re picky and such a foodie and can afford it, go ahead and order all the Gambas al Ajillo you want. Bars serving tapas style food are totally awesome..
but expensive. If you simply want to be orally preoccupied, stick to the
reliable nachos, fries, and onion rings.

Don’t
you just hate it when you go to a night club and you don’t know the title of any song? Nope, Shazam is not allowed!

7.
Dress Code

Collar
or no collar? Some bars require that you be in semi-formal (i.e. collared
shirts for men) so you can’t go around prancing in your tank top.

8.
Corkage

Sometimes,
they don’t serve what you are looking for so you are forced to bring it in yourself,
but they charge a corkage fee. Depending on whether you will end up spending
more if you paid for that said product in another place, usually you just have
to forget about those places charging ridiculous corkage.

The
Distillery doesn’t serve food except for fries and popcorn, so there’s no corkage
for food either. Bring all the Marty’s Chicharon
you want!